The Role of Government in Healthcare

Role of Government in Healthcare
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Institution

Governments are continuously under pressure to ensure the wellbeing of their citizens, and healthcare is one facet through which such goals can be achieved. Citizens look forward to a time when the government becomes the main payer of healthcare services, but this is not practical because as human nature dictates, some individuals would abuse this privilege. Hence, governments are always involved in reforming healthcare systems to meet the demands of its people. Despite the fact that it is a topic which is specific to different countries and receives contention as people pose different ideas on how the government should be involved in healthcare, this paper will provide insights on the predefined roles of government in healthcare and whether governments are fulfilling these roles.
Evidently, the government should be intensively involved in the provision of high-quality and safe healthcare to its citizens. It is until recently that the Obamacare fulfilled the pertinent role of the government, which is often ignored in most countries. According to Mor (2015), the government should device mechanisms to ensure that even the poor in society can access safe and quality healthcare. Hence, there are debates regarding the role of the government in healthcare because it rarely fulfills its purpose (s). On a different role, this may not be entirely true for the poor people, who can access basic healthcare that was inaccessible prior to the establishment of the Obamacare.

In the United States, the government fulfills its role as a financial conduit because, considering the tax subsidies that promote coverage in health care, the U.S, government spends around two-fifths of its revenue on healthcare. In so doing, the government is able to finance the insurance health programs to ensure that all Americans can access basic healthcare at affordable rates.
In the recently concluded elections of the United States, the role of government in healthcare took center stage in political campaigns due to the imbalances between investment by the federal government and the quality of care received. Geyman (2015) claims that even after the Americans pay high taxes, the value of healthcare does not measure up. Apparently, healthcare costs have soared and healthcare has become unaffordable as bureaucracy and fraud prevail. Also, benefits derived from insurance coverage are gradually dwindling and it is difficult to choose an ideal insurance cover. Even after the Obamacare was devised in 2010, healthcare stills remains unaffordable; yet, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all its people can access healthcare services at an affordable rate (Geyman, 2015). The figure below indicates the effects of the Obamacare; hence, the debate regarding role of the government in healthcare.

Figure 1: Distribution of healthcare services based on quality (Institute of Medicine, 2002)
Based on the scenario mentioned above, it might seem that the government has not adequately fulfilled its roles as a regulator, provider, sponsor, and purchaser of healthcare and associated services (Institute of Medicine, 2002). However, the negative image of the government’s involvement in healthcare may be due to the high healthcare costs despite high cuts in taxes has pushed half of the Americans to disregard involvement of the government in the healthcare system. The government is involved in regulating private-market activities, and it is this role that has largely contributed to high insurance premiums based on the type of coverage. On different notes, all individuals can afford premiums if they seek to get basic health services (Jaffe, 2009). The government’s regulatory role is also seen when it lays down ‘minimum healthcare standards’ that are meant to protect patients from facilities that provide substandard services (Institute of Medicine, 2002). The government’s regulatory role helps to ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare services by rewarding providers that show attainment of high-quality services by reduced readmission and hospital stays.
Subsequently, the government keeps a record of performance data that is meant to help providers to learn from best practices. In addition, this information helps the public to make informed decisions when choosing a suitable healthcare provider. The government also ensures that the public gains access to pertinent health facts about certain products. Hence, the reason for disclaimer warning on some products like cigarettes while calorie labeling is available to guide consumers of healthy food options (Frieden, 2013). On a similar note, the government advocates for the integration of information technology and management to foster efficiency in healthcare through the adoption of electronic healthcare records, which are deemed to foster exchange of healthcare practices and continuity of healthcare (The Commonwealth Fund, 2016). In addition, England and U.S. governments are involved in efforts aimed at strengthening the healthcare systems within their jurisdiction. Through the Independent Payment Advisory Board and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, the U.S. are charged with the responsibility of developing holistic healthcare models using the latest development to attain effectiveness and efficiency.
Advancements in healthcare are mainly realized through research, educational programs and training, all of which are sponsored by the government. The U.S. government spends close to $30 million to fund discoveries through the various institutes of health in order to ensure advances in modes of diagnosis and treatment, which aid in the attainment of quality healthcare, are integrated into hospital policies and protocols of healthcare delivery. Prevention of diseases is a pertinent element in healthcare, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works tirelessly to ensure the public remains protected from infectious diseases and workplace hazards (Jaffe, 2009). By so doing, the government devices means and strategies that the public can adopt to reduce morbidity and lengthen life expectancy.
The government is an employer to the numerous healthcare providers charged with the responsibility of providing quality and safe healthcare. In addition, through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, the government acts as a direct healthcare provider to its employees as well as its dependents. The Veterans Health Administration is the main government healthcare provider but government-owned facilities also help to achieve this cause. This way, the government is also actively involved in making new discoveries, monitoring efforts of health-related conditions and programs, and developing new applications meant to enhance delivery of healthcare services.
In conclusion, even though the involvement of the government in healthcare is not appreciated by many, and mainly the high-income earners, it plays a fundamental role in ensuring the poor gain access to basic health services, which they would not receive if the government did not have a hand in it. Also, the government is a regulatory body of healthcare standards, sponsors efforts aimed at making new discoveries and strengthening the primary health care systems, and ensures the healthcare models are commensurate with the continually evolving healthcare system.

References
Frieden, T. R. (2013). Government’s role in protecting health and safety. The New England Journal of Medicine, 368, 1857-1859.
Geyman, J. (2015). What role should the government have in U.S. health care? Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-geyman/what-role-should-the-gove_b_8891730.html.
Institute of Medicine. (2002). Leadership by example: Coordinating government roles in improving health care quality. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences.
Jaffe, S. (2009). Health policy briefs: Key issues in health reform. Retrieved from http://www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief.php?brief_id=10.
Mor, N. (2015). What role should governments play in healthcare? Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/12/what-role-should-governments-play-in-healthcare/.
The Commonwealth Fund. (2016). Health care reforms in the USA and England: Areas for useful learning. Retrieved from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/in-the-literature/2012/oct/health-care-reforms-in-the-usa-and-england.